Insecticides in human milk
Miano, A.; Ciotti, F.; Roncuzzi, R.; Biasini, G.C.
Minerva Pediatrica 30(6): 533-534
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4946 PMID: 661758 Document Number: 131975
In a survey in the Italian province of Romagna, 2 milk samples were obtained from each of 16 mothers on 2 separate days during the 1st wk post partum. Milk fat content and concn. of pesticide residues/g milk fat are tabulated for the individual women. Overall av. concn. expressed as ng/ml whole milk were 49.667 hexachlorobenzene, 32.272 HCH, 4.835 heptachlor epoxide and 142.8 total DDT. These values far exceed recommended limits for residue levels in cows' milk (20 ng hexachlorobenzene, 4 ng HCH and 50 ng total DDT/ml). The question whether or not it is safe for babies to be fed milk containing these high pesticide levels is discussed.